City of Bell: Why cities need a community newspaper

Brian Hews

It was years ago that Bell had a community newspaper, it was called the Bell, Maywood, Cudahy Community News.
I know this because it was part of a larger newspaper group my family owned. Art Aguilar was the editor at the time and, suffice to say, you did not mess with Art.
Coincidentally, we sold those papers in 1998, right around the time Bell hired its highly overpaid City Administrator.
This is exactly why cities need a vibrant community newspaper. We are the watchdog for the residents, keeping in check what goes on in the city.
Johnny-come-lately bloggers have no chance at a story like this unless they are lucky, and then it is not in print.
It takes someone like LCCN Editor Jerry Bernstein to spot salaries such as Bell's and call them out in the newspaper.into Community News readers have recently been inquiring what type of salary or stipend city council members receive in Cerritos, Artesia and Hawaiian Gardens. A quick review of their budgets revealed the following.
In Cerritos the Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem and councilmembers all receive $13,518 annually. Monthly this is equivalent to $1,127 per month.
Councilmembers in the city of Artesia receive an annual stipend of $6,613, which breaks down to $551.12 per month. In both cities city council are reimbursed for their expenses when they attend conferences and various meetings
In Hawaiian Gardens the Mayor receives $945 a month while council members receive $795 a month In addition to the monthly stipend they also receive a $450 car allowance. Councilmembers also makeup the Redevelopment Agency and receive an additional $30 and the Public Housing Authority for which they receive $50.